Two cousins shot d3ad by unknown gunmen
In a chilling act of violence that has left the Mamelodi East community of Tshwane in deep mourning, two young women, identified as Tshiamo Moramaga (22) and Baleseng Moramaga (21), were brut@lly sh0t de@d by unidentified gunmen in the early hours of Sunday, October 26, 2025. The double mu8der, which occurred along Sompisi Street, Extension 17, has sent shockwaves across South Africa and reignited fears about the country’s rising tide of gender-based violence and random shootings.
According to police reports, both victims—who were cousins and shared a close, sisterly bond—were found lying side by side, each with fatal gunsh0t wounds to the head. Their lifeless bodies were discovered by a passerby at approximately 6:15 a.m., moments before police patrol units arrived at the scene.
Captain Johan van Dyk, spokesperson for the South African Police Service (SAPS) Mamelodi East, confirmed that a team of officers responded immediately after receiving a distress call from residents who heard gunshots during the night. Upon arrival, the officers found the bodies of the two young women, both wearing matching white skirts and black tops, suggesting they had been together during the hours leading up to the attack.
“The scene was a tragic sight,” Captain van Dyk said. “Both victims sustained gunshot wounds to the head. No valuables were found on them, and there were no immediate signs of robbery. A case of double murder has been opened, and investigations are underway to establish the motive and identify the perpetrators.”
He added that detectives had already begun canvassing the area for witnesses and security camera footage that could shed light on the events leading up to the shooting. “We are calling on members of the public who may have seen or heard anything unusual between 3:30 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. to come forward. Every piece of information could help bring justice to these young women,” he said.
Neighbors in the quiet Mamelodi East neighborhood recounted a night of unease and confusion. Several residents reported hearing the sound of heated arguments, followed by multiple gunshots. “At first, I thought it was just people shouting after a night out,” said a resident who requested anonymity. “But then the gunshots came—at least four. After that, everything went silent. When we woke up in the morning, we heard that two young women had been killed just down the road.”
Sources close to the victims revealed that Tshiamo and Baleseng had attended a small gathering earlier that evening. It remains unclear whether the argument heard by neighbors involved the victims or another group, but investigators are exploring all possible connections.
The tragedy has left the Moramaga family reeling from grief. Both cousins were described as joyful, ambitious young women with dreams of improving their lives and supporting their families.
Tshiamo’s mother, Itumeleng Moramaga, could hardly hold back tears as she spoke to reporters outside her home. “I’m so hurt. I’m shattered because she was the only daughter I had. I’m now left with two sons,” she said. “Tshiamo was a kind, respectful, and loving girl. She never hurt anyone. I don’t know why someone would do this to her.”
Family members said the cousins were inseparable. They often spent weekends together and shared common interests in fashion and social media content creation. Baleseng, a university student, was studying public administration, while Tshiamo worked part-time as a hairstylist and makeup artist.
“It doesn’t make sense,” said a relative, Nomsa Dlamini. “They were not involved in any bad activities. They were just young women trying to make something of themselves. Now, their mothers have to bury them instead of celebrating their futures.”
Investigators have recovered a crucial piece of evidence that may help unravel the mystery. A message discovered on Baleseng’s phone revealed that the two cousins were in contact shortly before the shooting. The content of the message has not been fully disclosed, but it reportedly indicated that the girls were trying to arrange transportation back home from a nearby location.
However, Tshiamo’s phone remains missing, and authorities believe it might have been taken by the attackers, either as part of an attempted cover-up or to erase digital evidence. Police forensic teams are currently analyzing Baleseng’s phone for any leads, including recent call logs, location data, and social media activity.
Captain van Dyk confirmed that a task team from the SAPS Provincial Investigations Unit has been assigned to the case, working in collaboration with crime intelligence officers. Forensic experts have collected shell casings from the crime scene, which are now undergoing ballistic analysis to determine the type of firearm used.
“We are pursuing several leads,” van Dyk stated. “Our goal is to identify those responsible and bring them to justice swiftly. We understand the pain the family and community are going through, and we are determined to deliver answers.”
The police also confirmed that the area had seen a spike in violent crimes in recent months, including shootings linked to gang conflicts and gender-based attacks. While it is too early to determine whether the Moramaga cousins were victims of such violence, the case fits into a troubling pattern of random shootings targeting young women.
This incident once again highlights the ongoing crisis of violence against women in South Africa, where femicide rates remain among the highest in the world. According to Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), one woman is killed every three hours, often by someone she knows.
Human rights groups have condemned the continued surge in gender-based crimes, urging the government to take decisive action. Nokuthula Maseko, a gender justice advocate, said: “We cannot normalize this. Every day, young women are being murdered, and their stories are quickly forgotten. Tshiamo and Baleseng represent thousands of others who have become victims of a system that has failed to protect them.”
She called for increased street surveillance, community policing, and the implementation of harsher penalties for perpetrators of violent crimes. “We must treat gender-based violence not just as a criminal issue but as a national emergency,” she added.
The Mamelodi East community has responded with collective anger and sorrow. Residents gathered on Monday evening for a candlelight vigil at the spot where the two young women were found. Many held placards reading “Justice for Tshiamo and Baleseng” and “Stop Killing Our Women.”
Community leader Thabo Ngwenya spoke during the vigil, urging police to work round the clock to solve the case. “We are tired of burying our daughters,” he said. “We can’t keep living like this—where gunmen roam freely and young lives are cut short without consequence. The people of Mamelodi want justice, and we want it now.”
He also called on the City of Tshwane authorities to improve street lighting and security in the area, noting that the lack of surveillance cameras and police patrols makes residents vulnerable to nighttime attacks.
As preparations begin for the cousins’ joint funeral, the pain within the Moramaga family is indescribable. The young women will be laid to rest side by side—just as they lived their short lives, inseparable and full of hope.
Family members have described the double burial as both symbolic and heartbreaking. “We wanted them to be buried next to each other,” said a relative. “They were more like sisters than cousins. Even in death, they should not be apart.”
Friends have taken to social media to express their grief and outrage. One of Tshiamo’s friends posted: “I can’t believe I’ll never see you again. You were always smiling, always positive. Rest in peace, my sister. You didn’t deserve this.”
The double murder in Mamelodi East underscores the persistent insecurity plaguing many South African communities, where gun violence has become alarmingly common. Analysts point to a combination of illegal firearms, gang rivalries, poverty, and social disintegration as factors fueling the violence.
Mamelodi, once a vibrant and culturally rich township, has in recent years faced escalating crime rates. Local NGOs have been advocating for community-led initiatives, including neighborhood watch programs and youth engagement projects, to combat rising lawlessness.
However, experts warn that without significant government intervention and police reform, such tragedies will continue to occur. Professor Sipho Dlamini, a criminologist at the University of Pretoria, commented: “The state must take proactive measures to dismantle the networks that supply illegal firearms and strengthen community trust in law enforcement. We cannot continue to lose young lives at this rate.”
As of Monday, SAPS investigators are still appealing for information. “If anyone has knowledge of who these gunmen might be or saw the victims before the shooting, please come forward,” said Captain van Dyk. Tip-offs can be made anonymously by calling Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or via the MySAPS app.
Meanwhile, the Moramaga family has asked for privacy as they prepare to bury their daughters. Community members have launched an online crowdfunding campaign to support funeral expenses and grief counseling for the family.
Those who knew the cousins describe them as compassionate, cheerful, and inseparable. They loved music, fashion, and spending time with family. Their shared laughter, captured in countless photos, has now become a haunting reminder of what has been lost.
Their story, though deeply tragic, has become a rallying cry across Mamelodi—a demand for change, for justice, and for the protection of women in all communities.
Their deaths are not just statistics. They are a painful reminder that every life matters, and every act of violence leaves a wound on the soul of the nation.
The senseless killing of Tshiamo and Baleseng Moramaga is a stark reflection of South Africa’s ongoing struggle with violent crime and gender-based brutality. It is a story of two cousins bound by blood and love, whose lives were brutally stolen before they could fulfill their dreams.
As their families mourn, and their community demands justice, one question continues to echo through the streets of Mamelodi East: “When will it stop?”
Until justice is served and meaningful change takes root, the memory of these two young women will remain a beacon of the fight against violence, a reminder that behind every headline lies a human story—of dreams shattered, families broken, and futures erased.
May their souls rest in peace.